As we know FRIDAYS ARE FOR FRIENDS so…today I want to introduce you to Ruth O’Neil

Ruth  has been a freelance writer for more than 20 years. She sees everything as a writing opportunity in disguise, whether it is an interesting character, setting, or situation. When she’s not writing or homeschooling her kids, Ruth spends her time quilting, reading, scrapbooking, camping and hiking with her family. Website link:  http://ruthoneil.weebly.com/

Today, she’s going to share how she started writing.

The Story That Started it All

One of the questions I am often asked is how I became a writer. Like most little girls, I wanted to be just like my mom when I grew up.

Going back to the beginning…

We lived way out in the country. We didn’t often have people stop by because they were “in the neighborhood.” One day someone did stop by unexpectedly. Our house was in a shambles. My mom sent all four of us kids in different directions shoving and cramming junk wherever we could find a hidey-hole. I took the broom and swept my sister’s toys under the living room couch. What I thought should fit, wasn’t fitting. I look under the couch to see what was stopping my progress. It was a file full of typed paper.

“What’s this?” I asked.

“Put that back under there!” I think Mom said it in an angry tone of voice because the unexpected guest was already on the porch and she didn’t have time for questions.

I found out later that it was a book that my mom had been writing. Ever since that day, I wanted to be a writer, too.

When I was nine I wrote my first story called “The Hunchback Bug.” My mom was never anything but encouraging. She even allowed me to use her typewriter. I felt proud as I sat at the dining room table pounding away at the keys. When I was done I asked if I should put my name, age, and date at the bottom. She thought it was a good idea.

Later on that story came up missing. I never knew what happened to it until my mom passed away. Dad gave all four of us kids our baby books that Mom had meticulously kept up with from the days we were born. Inside were treasures of all kinds: hair, reward certificates from school, honor roll certificates, report cards, and…my story. She had kept that story all those years, safely tucked away so it wouldn’t get lost or damaged.

I still have it today.

My mother was definitely my inspiration and encouragement for writing. She made sure I went to writer’s conferences so I could learn as much as possible. She read everything I wrote and gave me advice and constructive criticism.

Now, I am able to pass along some of what I’ve learned to those who want to learn this business of writing.

I’ve also learned that I can stir the emotions of people through words on a page. I can make people cry and I can make people laugh. I can touch people’s hearts.

That is why I write.

 

Ruth’s latest book is BELONGING  and the Amazon link is. http://amzn.to/TFP8bf

About BELONGING:

Shelly feels alone in the world. She would like to bury herself in a whole and not pay any attention to the world outside her door, but God has big plans for her. These plans will force her to step out of her comfort zone, which might be impossible for her.